BJP confident of forming Govt. in Jharkhand, eyes J-K

With voting trends suggesting a wave in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), it expressed confidence on Tuesday about forming governments in both Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir respectively.

"In both the states we will form the government and we are working towards it. We are getting full majority in Jharkhand that's why forming the government there is almost final. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, we have full faith that we will emerge as the single largest party and try to form the government there also," said BJP leader Ram Madhav.

He added that the poll results clearly indicate the people's support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development strategy.

BJP leader J P Nadda echoing similar sentiments said the people have voted for good governance and have expressed confidence in Prime Minister Modi.

He said his party would form the government in Jharkhand and added that the trends are very good in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Let's wait for the final tally but the trends are very good and we will improve," added Nadda.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the trends seem to be positive and lauded the voters.

"Forming government in Jharkhand is imminent; let's wait for the final results in Jammu and Kashmir to be out," said Parrikar.

Minister of State for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar said Jammu and Kashmir will witness a historical political change this time.

"The country needs development under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, that's why the people are supporting us. In Jharkhand we will form the government with strong majority and we will take it forward towards development. There will be a historical change in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

With the counting of votes of the recently concluded five-phased assembly elections underway on Tuesday, trends till 12 noon indicate that the Bharatiya Janata Party is all set to form the government in Jharkhand, while Jammu and Kashmir is headed towards a hung assembly, with all the four major parties in the state sharing a slice of the pie.

As per latest reports, the BJP is leading in Jharkhand with 38 seats, a change of 15 since the 2009 state elections. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is the BJP's closest competitor, currently leading in 22 seats. Meanwhile, the former allies Congress and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JCM) have lost ground, currently leading in only seven and five seats respectively.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) is leading the fray with 31 seats, with the BJP close behind on 25 seats. However, the trends have not ruled out the Congress or the National Conference (NC) from the picture.